He crossed the line ahead of Dave Rugendyke, Sam Horwood and fourth-placed Frazer Ashford, who clocked the fastest time of 2hrs 22mins 50secs.

Then came Inverell’s Zac Sunderland from Peter Horwood, veteran Brian Bagster and Steve McMahon in a bunched finish. “I’ve got no idea how I did that,” a surprised but delighted Carrington said after his win.

He admitted he had done hardly any training on his road bike of late although he had been mountain bike riding.

“Just something about this race, love it, love the racing and grow and extra leg for it.

“The race just seems to suit me with the rolling hills in the middle and then the flat final 20km.”

He said he and club president Sam Spokes had attacked a number of times during the race.

“I got away at one stage but I knew I wouldn’t have the legs to stay away,” he said.

He slotted back into the peleton then and took it easier although one attack from Spokes had him a little concerned .

“I knew I couldn’t be the one to chase him down if I was going to win it,” he said as he allowed his fellow riders to reel Spokes back in.

With Spokes leading the way in the final 1000m it wasn’t until the final few hundred metres that Carrington knew he could win when he found himself in the bunch and was able to dash clear around the final bend.

“He’s a freak,”  Spokes said of Carrington after the race. 

“But we had a really good turn out in both races and we are lucky to have so many good volunteers who help us out,” he said.

Earlier Allan Partlin had won the 40km race from Luke Deasey, and Tom Simmons with Hugh Munday clocking the fastest time of 58mins 25secs.